If
it seems like every year I talk about Southern losing a ton of talent
to graduation, it's only because they do. And if it seems like every
year I then mention that despite the losses, there is a plethora of
talented newcomers looking to jump right in, it's only because there is.
It's Southern. They don't rebuild, they reload... And this year should
be no different.

Half the starters from last year's Group 5
Championship team return and are dispersed pretty evenly throughout the
lineup, making the process of breaking in the new starters into the
lineup a bit easier. Returning in the lower half of the lineup are
juniors Owen Kretschmer and Matt Barnett. Barnett punched a ticket to AC
last season after placing 3rd in the Region at 126, while Kretschmer, a
2-time D24 medal winner, was one win shy of advancing to Boardwalk
Hall, placing 4th in Region 6 at 106. Sophomore Nick Pepe also returns,
coming off a strong freshman season that saw him pick up 12 wins against
a tough slate of opponents.

The stretch from 145-160 will see a
trio of new starters in sophomores Nick O'Connell and John Stout, and
junior Dan Gorman. After waiting their turn last year behind names like
Racanelli, Caporrino, and Mooney, look for this talented group to make
an immediate impact.

Up top, returning District champ Seon Bowker
and 3rd-place finisher Nick Suriano give the Rams a nice 1-2 punch in
the 170-182 spots. There's depth here though, which includes Ryan Adams,
Crew Truex, and Vin Miele, that gives head coach John Stout some
maneuvering options. Returning lettermen Matt Mackanic and Joe Miele are
both back in the 195/220 range, and seniors Dan Lynch and Evan Giberson
are expected to see time at the heavyweight position.

The names
change, but the expectations don't. Southern is one of the most
respected programs in the state for a reason. The work ethic is there,
the talent is there, the coaching is there, and there's no reason to
think they won't, once again, be competing for the top spot in the
Shore, the A-South crown, and a run towards another Sectional and Group
title. The road to the Pine Belt Arena gets a little more difficult with
Howell back in SJG5, and for selfish purposes, let's hope that's the
bout we get come February. There's work to do on the schedule before
then, of course. There's the usual A-South rivals, and non-conference
matchups with Phillipsburg, South Plainfield, Kingsway, Buena, High
Point, and Haddonfield (yikes!) among others.